Omagh families set to sue

Friday 10 August 2001 19.46 EDT
First published on Friday 10 August 2001 19.46 EDT

Relatives of the Omagh bombing victims have started legal action against five men with alleged links to the Real IRA.

Civil writs seeking compensation have been issued at the high court in Belfast in the first stage of the process, it was revealed last night.

Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was among 29 killed in the car bombing three years ago, said: "We had no choice but to take this action."

The families believe it is the first time a writ has been served against a terrorist organisation. The writs have been issued against the Real IRA and five men; Seamus McKenna of Newry, Co Down; John McKevitt, Liam Campbell and Michael Murphy of Dundalk, Co Louth, and Seamus Dalynear of Castleblaney, Co Monaghan.

Nobody has been charged with any of the murders, but a man accused by police in the Irish Republic of plotting to cause an explosion is to due to stand trial in Dublin later.

The move came just days before the August 15 deadline for mounting a civil action against those alleged to be associated bombing on August 15 1998. Jason McCue, of H2O solicitors, refused reveal how much the families are seeking.

The families' attempt to raise £1m to cover the costs of the legal challenge received an anonymous £50,000 donation yesterday. Stanley McCombe, whose wife Ann was killed by the bomb, said: "The people who are heading up the fund are very well known people in London who move in the circles of very rich people."